On Monday, October 12, 2026, Democratic candidate Hallie Shoffner and Libertarian candidate Jeff Wadlin debated in Conway, Arkansas, without Republican U.S. Senator Tom Cotton. Cotton, who is seeking re-election, attended a birthday party for World War II veteran Jock Davis instead, according to campaign spokesperson James Arnold.
The debate, moderated by Steve Barnes, focused largely on Cotton’s absence and his record. Shoffner criticized Cotton, stating, “Where is Tom Cotton? He’s not here, because he either thinks he’s too good or he’s too scared, and neither one of those works for Arkansas.”
Wadlin, the Libertarian candidate, called Cotton “a coward and a hypocrite,” referencing Cotton’s past criticism of Senator Mark Pryor for not participating in a debate. Wadlin said, “Twelve years ago he badgered Senator (Mark) Pryor about not showing up to debate him. Well, where is Senator Tom Cotton today?”
Shoffner and Wadlin barely acknowledged each other during the debate. Shoffner, a sixth-generation farmer, frequently criticized Cotton for his past votes against the Farm Bill. Wadlin, meanwhile, criticized both parties for “somehow working together to generate terrible outcomes.”
The debate covered topics including the war in Iran, immigration, economic development, and college athletics. Shoffner differentiated herself from her party by stating she would have voted to advance the Farm Bill out of the Senate Agriculture Committee that Senate Democrats voted against. Wadlin distanced himself from the Libertarian Party’s preference for less economic regulation when responding to a question about the Protect College Sports Act.
